Every year, we invite writers near and far to compose poetry focused on the Morro Bay estuary and surrounding lands for our Morro Bay Estuary Poetry Contest: A National Treasure in Words. The contest is open now through May 7, and writers age 8 and up can enter. Find the complete details on our Morro Bay Estuary Poetry Contest 2021 page.
2021 Morro Bay Estuary Poetry Contest themes
This year, we are looking for haiku on the theme “Morro Bay estuary and watershed” and free verse poems of up to 45 lines that explore the idea of finding solace in the natural world, and specifically the Morro Bay estuary and surrounding lands.
We chose this free verse theme after hearing from so many people who have found hope, healing, and joy in the natural beauty on and around the bay during this difficult past year. Some have mentioned daily walks overlooking the bay from their neighborhood streets or local trails, others have mentioned their morning paddles, and some have expressed the feeling of peace they get just from watching wildlife in the salt marsh or sitting near the water and watching the clouds move by.
Monica Stillman reads her winning poem, “Connections”
To inspire you, we’ll be sharing poems from last year’s winners on our Facebook and Instagram feeds over the next few weeks. Below, you’ll find a video of last year’s first place Free Verse winner, Monica Stillman, reading her beautiful poem, “Connections,” followed by the text of her poem. Enjoy!
2020 Free Verse First Place winner: Monica Stillman
“Connections”
The ocean breathes
at the pace of the waves.
Winds so vast they follow
the curve of Earth
comb fish and kelp
with waves that migrate
toward the land,
feel the shoaling rim
and rise, trough and crest
curl and plunge,
swash chasing
plover sanderling,
lifted spray returned
to the wind.
The bay breathes
at the pace of the tides.
Pulled taut by hanging
moon, ebb’s silver
channels ribbon
through waves of grass
and settled silt,
and pause . . .
until the turning
when the flood returns,
a wash that fills
the Bay to brimming,
thirsty blades quenched,
clamped shells reopen,
parched flats loosen
their cracks,
and the bay’s full
arms gather drops
of sunlight.
Help protect and restore the Morro Bay estuary
- Donate to the Estuary Program and support our work in the field, the lab, and beyond.
The Estuary Program is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. We depend on funding from grants and generous donors to continue our work. - Support us by purchasing estuary-themed gear from the locally owned and operated ESTERO. ESTERO donates 20% of proceeds from its Estuary clothing line and 100% of Estuary decal proceeds to the Estuary Program. Thank you, ESTERO!
- Purchase items from the the Estuary Program’s store on Zazzle. Zazzle prints and ships your items, and the Estuary Program receives 10% of the proceeds. Choose from mugs, hats, t-shirts, and even fanny packs (they’re back!) with our fun Estuary Octopus design, our classic Estuary Program logo, or our Mutts for the Bay logo.
Thank you for your support!